Third-round pick Keyron Crawford is done for the season, placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. That’s a gut punch for the Raiders right out of the gate, especially when you’re trying to figure out your team’s early identity.
The Quarterback Room Shuffle and Practice Squad Plays
The Raiders made their QB room decisions, keeping Aidan O’Connell as their third-stringer, sitting behind Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza. Coach Klint Kubiak actually said this was a real possibility, so maybe it’s not a total shocker. The big question now is, if Cousins gets the Week 1 start like everyone expects, who’s gonna be the backup, Mendoza or O’Connell? Keep an eye on Miami’s recent cut, quarterback Cam Miller. Raiders GM John Spytek, the guy who drafted Miller in the sixth round last season, might just try to snap him up for the practice squad. Miller spent most of last year there before Miami brought him to their main roster late in the season.
Early Season Injury Hits and Risky Bets
Missing Keyron Crawford for the entire season is a tough blow, especially for a third-round pick they were surely counting on. Patrick Johnson is gonna have to step up huge in a key backup role now. Tight end Carter Runyon is also starting the season on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury, meaning he’s out for at least four games. But hey, it’s not all bad news on the injury front, right? Starting running back Ashton Jeanty, who tweaked his ankle a week ago, wasn’t placed on IR. The team is clearly making a bet, expecting him back by Week 4 at the latest. And receiver Dont’e Thornton, who hasn’t practiced in over three weeks for an undisclosed reason, still made the roster, which is a bit of a head-scratcher but shows confidence.
Roster Surprises and The Waiver Wire Watch
Veteran running back Dare Ogunbowale got cut, which leaves the Raiders with only three young tailbacks. You know they’ll be scouring the waiver wire in the coming days, probably looking for a seasoned vet to round out that group. On the other side of the ball, defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi, a late signing, totally flashed in the run game and earned his spot. Now, everyone’s watching undrafted rookie pass-rusher Cian Slone. The guy had a terrific preseason, so it’ll be interesting to see if he gets claimed on waivers. If not, the Raiders will likely try to stash him on the practice squad. Remember, about 30 players usually get claimed after cut-downs, so it’s not a ton, but a player like Slone could definitely get snatched up. Oh, and here’s a wild fact: out of their ten draft picks this year, only seventh-rounder Brandon Cleveland was waived. That’s a pretty good track record for the rest of the rookie class.
With Week 1 barreling down, these roster choices are gonna get tested fast. Missing Keyron Crawford all season is a significant hit, and banking on Jeanty’s quick return is a gamble. How these depth pieces and new additions play out will tell the tale for the Raiders’ early season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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